New International VersionSo Samuel said to all the Israelites, “If you are returning to the LORD with all your hearts, then rid yourselves of the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths and commit yourselves to the LORD and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.”
New Living TranslationThen Samuel said to all the people of Israel, “If you want to return to the LORD with all your hearts, get rid of your foreign gods and your images of Ashtoreth. Turn your hearts to the LORD and obey him alone; then he will rescue you from the Philistines.”
English Standard VersionAnd Samuel said to all the house of Israel, “If you are returning to the LORD with all your heart, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you and direct your heart to the LORD and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.”
Berean Standard BibleThen Samuel said to all the house of Israel, “If you are returning to the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the foreign gods and Ashtoreths among you, prepare your hearts for the LORD, and serve Him only. And He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines.”
King James BibleAnd Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the LORD, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.
New King James VersionThen Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel, saying, “If you return to the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths from among you, and prepare your hearts for the LORD, and serve Him only; and He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines.”
New American Standard BibleThen Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel, saying, “If you are returning to the LORD with all your heart, then remove the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you, and direct your hearts to the LORD and serve Him alone; and He will save you from the hand of the Philistines.”
NASB 1995Then Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel, saying, “If you return to the LORD with all your heart, remove the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you and direct your hearts to the LORD and serve Him alone; and He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines.”
NASB 1977Then Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel, saying, “If you return to the LORD with all your heart, remove the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you and direct your hearts to the LORD and serve Him alone; and He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines.”
Legacy Standard BibleThen Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel, saying, “If you are to return to Yahweh with all your heart, then remove the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you and set your hearts toward Yahweh and serve Him alone; and He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines.”
Amplified BibleThen Samuel said to all the house of Israel, “If you are returning to the LORD with all your heart, remove the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth (pagan goddesses) from among you and direct your hearts to the LORD and serve Him only; and He will rescue you from the hand of the Philistines.”
Christian Standard BibleSamuel told them, “If you are returning to the LORD with all your heart, get rid of the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths that are among you, set your hearts on the LORD, and worship only him. Then he will rescue you from the Philistines.”
Holman Christian Standard BibleSamuel told them, “If you are returning to the LORD with all your heart, get rid of the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths that are among you, dedicate yourselves to the LORD, and worship only Him. Then He will rescue you from the hand of the Philistines.”
American Standard VersionAnd Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto Jehovah with all your heart, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you, and direct your hearts unto Jehovah, and serve him only; and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.
Contemporary English VersionOne day, Samuel told all the people of Israel, "If you really want to turn back to the LORD, then prove it. Get rid of your foreign idols, including the ones of the goddess Astarte. Turn to the LORD with all your heart and worship only him. Then he will rescue you from the Philistines."
English Revised VersionAnd Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto the LORD with all your heart, then put away the strange gods and the Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the LORD, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationSamuel told the entire nation of Israel, "If you are returning to the LORD wholeheartedly, get rid of the foreign gods you have, including the statues of the goddess Astarte. Make a commitment to the LORD, and serve only him. Then he will rescue you from the Philistines."
Good News TranslationSamuel said to the people of Israel, "If you are going to turn to the LORD with all your hearts, you must get rid of all the foreign gods and the images of the goddess Astarte. Dedicate yourselves completely to the LORD and worship only him, and he will rescue you from the power of the Philistines."
International Standard VersionThen Samuel told the whole house of Israel, "If you're returning to the LORD with all your heart, then remove the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you, direct your hearts back to the LORD, and serve him only. Then he will deliver you from the control of the Philistines."
NET BibleSamuel said to all the people of Israel, "If you are really turning to the LORD with all your hearts, remove from among you the foreign gods and the images of Ashtoreth. Give your hearts to the LORD and serve only him. Then he will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines."
New Heart English BibleSamuel spoke to all the house of Israel, saying, "If you do return to the LORD with all your heart, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you, and direct your hearts to the LORD, and serve him only; and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines."
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return to the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods, and Ashtaroth, from among you, and prepare your hearts to the LORD, and serve him only: and he will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThen Samuel said to all the house of Israel, “If you are returning to the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the foreign gods and Ashtoreths among you, prepare your hearts for the LORD, and serve Him only. And He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines.”
World English BibleSamuel spoke to all the house of Israel, saying, “If you are returning to Yahweh with all your heart, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you, and direct your hearts to Yahweh, and serve him only; and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd Samuel speaks to all the house of Israel, saying, “If you are turning back to YHWH with all your heart—turn aside the gods of the stranger from your midst, and Ashtaroth; and prepare your heart for YHWH, and serve Him only, and He delivers you out of the hand of the Philistines.”
Young's Literal Translation And Samuel speaketh unto all the house of Israel, saying, 'If with all your heart ye are turning back unto Jehovah -- turn aside the gods of the stranger from your midst, and Ashtaroth; and prepare your heart unto Jehovah, and serve Him only, and He doth deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.'
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd Samuel will say to all the house of Israel, saying, If with all your heart ye turn back to Jehovah, remove the strange gods out of the midst of you, and Ashtaroth, and prepare your hearts to Jehovah, and serve him alone, and he will deliver you from the hand of Philisteim. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel, saying: If you turn to the Lord with all your heart, put away the strange gods from among you, Baalim and Astaroth: and prepare your hearts unto the Lord, and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.
Catholic Public Domain VersionThen Samuel spoke to the entire house of Israel, saying: “If you would return to the Lord with your whole heart, take away strange gods from among you, the Baals and Ashtaroth, and prepare your hearts for the Lord, and serve him alone. And he will rescue you from the hand of the Philistines.”
New American BibleThen Samuel addressed the whole house of Israel: “If you would return to the LORD with your whole heart, remove your foreign gods and your Astartes, fix your hearts on the LORD, and serve him alone, then the LORD will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines.”
New Revised Standard VersionThen Samuel said to all the house of Israel, “If you are returning to the LORD with all your heart, then put away the foreign gods and the Astartes from among you. Direct your heart to the LORD, and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThen Samuel said to all the house of Israel, If you return with all your heart to the LORD, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your heart unto the LORD, and serve him only; and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAnd Shemueil said to all Israel: “If you are being turned to LORD JEHOVAH with all your heart, put aside foreign gods from among you, and the secret places, and prepare your heart for the presence of LORD JEHOVAH, and work for him, him alone, and he will save you from the hand of the Philistines!” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And Samuel spoke unto all the house of Israel, saying: 'If ye do return unto the LORD with all your heart, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you, and direct your hearts unto the LORD, and serve Him only; and He will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.'
Brenton Septuagint TranslationAnd Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do with all your heart return to the Lord, take away the strange gods from the midst of you, and the groves, and prepare your hearts to serve the Lord, and serve him only; and he shall deliver you from the hand of the Philistines.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Samuel Subdues the Philistines… 2And from that day a long time passed, twenty years in all, as the ark remained at Kiriath-jearim. And all the house of Israel mourned and sought after the LORD. 3Then Samuelsaidtoallthe houseof Israel,“Ifyouare returningtothe LORDwith allyour hearts,then rid yourselves ofthe foreigngodsand Ashtorethsamong you,prepareyour heartsforthe LORD,and serve Himonly.And He will deliveryoufrom the handof the Philistines.”4So the Israelites put away the Baals and Ashtoreths and served only the LORD.…
Cross References Deuteronomy 6:5And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
Joshua 24:14-15Now, therefore, fear the LORD and serve Him in sincerity and truth; cast aside the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. / But if it is unpleasing in your sight to serve the LORD, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!”
Judges 10:15-16“We have sinned,” the Israelites said to the LORD. “Deal with us as You see fit; but please deliver us today!” / So they put away the foreign gods from among them and served the LORD, and He could no longer bear the misery of Israel.
2 Chronicles 7:14and if My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.
Jeremiah 4:1-2“If you will return, O Israel, return to Me,” declares the LORD. “If you will remove your detestable idols from My sight and no longer waver, / and if you can swear, ‘As surely as the LORD lives,’ in truth, in justice, and in righteousness, then the nations will be blessed by Him, and in Him they will glory.”
Hosea 6:1Come, let us return to the LORD. For He has torn us to pieces, but He will heal us; He has wounded us, but He will bind up our wounds.
Joel 2:12-13“Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning.” / So rend your hearts and not your garments, and return to the LORD your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. And He relents from sending disaster.
Isaiah 55:6-7Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. / Let the wicked man forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.
Ezekiel 18:30-32Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each according to his ways, declares the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, so that your iniquity will not become your downfall. / Cast away from yourselves all the transgressions you have committed, and fashion for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. Why should you die, O house of Israel? / For I take no pleasure in anyone’s death, declares the Lord GOD. So repent and live!
Matthew 22:37-38Jesus declared, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ / This is the first and greatest commandment.
Mark 12:30Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’
Luke 10:27He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
Acts 3:19Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away,
Romans 12:1-2Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. / Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.
2 Corinthians 7:1Therefore, beloved, since we have these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that defiles body and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Treasury of Scripture And Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel, saying, If you do return to the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts to the LORD, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines. A. Deuteronomy 30:2-10 And shalt return unto the LORD thy God, and shalt obey his voice according to all that I command thee this day, thou and thy children, with all thine heart, and with all thy soul; … 1 Kings 8:48 Andso return unto thee with all their heart, and with all their soul, in the land of their enemies, which led them away captive, and pray unto thee toward their land, which thou gavest unto their fathers, the city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy name: Isaiah 55:7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. put away Genesis 35:2 Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all thatwere with him, Put away the strange gods thatare among you, and be clean, and change your garments: Joshua 24:14,23 Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD… Judges 2:13 And they forsook the LORD, and served Baal and Ashtaroth. prepare Deuteronomy 30:6 And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live. 1 Chronicles 22:19 Now set your heart and your soul to seek the LORD your God; arise therefore, and build ye the sanctuary of the LORD God, to bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and the holy vessels of God, into the house that is to be built to the name of the LORD. 1 Chronicles 28:9 And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever. serve him Deuteronomy 6:13 Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name. Deuteronomy 10:20 Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name. Deuteronomy 13:4 Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him. Jump to Previous AshtarothDeliverDirectHandHeartHeartsHouseIsraelPhilistinesPrepareSamuelServeStrangeJump to Next AshtarothDeliverDirectHandHeartHeartsHouseIsraelPhilistinesPrepareSamuelServeStrange1 Samuel 7 1.They of Kiriath Jearim bring the ark to Abinadab, and sanctify Eleazar as guard2.After twenty years,3.the Israelites, by Samuel's means, solemnly repent at Mizpeh7.While Samuel prays and sacrifices,10.the Lord thwarts the Philistines by thunder at Ebenezer13.The Philistines are subdued15.Samuel judges IsraelThen Samuel said to all the house of IsraelSamuel, the last judge of Israel and a prophet, addresses the entire nation, emphasizing his role as a spiritual leader. This moment follows a period of Philistine oppression and spiritual decline. Samuel's leadership marks a transition from the era of judges to the establishment of monarchy in Israel. His authority is recognized by all tribes, indicating a unified call to repentance. If you are returning to the LORD with all your hearts
The call to return to the LORD signifies repentance and a wholehearted commitment. The heart, in Hebrew thought, represents the center of will and emotion. This phrase underscores the necessity of sincere devotion, not merely external compliance. It echoesDeuteronomy 6:5, which commands love for God with all one's heart, soul, and strength. then put away the foreign gods and Ashtoreths among you
Foreign gods refer to the idols and deities of surrounding nations, which Israel had adopted, violating the first commandment. Ashtoreths were Canaanite fertility goddesses, often associated with Baal worship. This call to remove idols is a recurring theme in Israel's history, highlighting the struggle against syncretism. It parallels Joshua's challenge inJoshua 24:14-15 to serve the LORD exclusively. prepare your hearts for the LORD
Preparation of the heart involves internal purification and readiness to serve God. This concept is akin to the New Testament call for believers to be sanctified and set apart for God's purposes (1 Peter 3:15). It implies an intentional turning away from sin and a dedication to holiness. and serve Him only
Exclusive service to the LORD is a foundational principle of the covenant relationship between God and Israel. This command reflects the Shema inDeuteronomy 6:4, affirming monotheism and loyalty to God alone. It prefigures Jesus' teaching inMatthew 4:10, where He emphasizes worship and service to God only. And He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines
The promise of deliverance is contingent upon Israel's repentance and faithfulness. The Philistines were a persistent threat, representing the consequences of Israel's disobedience. God's deliverance is a recurring theme, demonstrating His faithfulness and power. This deliverance foreshadows the ultimate salvation through Jesus Christ, who delivers believers from sin and death. Persons / Places / Events 1. SamuelA prophet and judge of Israel, Samuel played a crucial role in guiding the Israelites back to God. He was a spiritual leader who called the people to repentance and renewal of their covenant with the LORD. 2. House of IsraelRefers to the collective people of Israel, who were often led astray by idolatry and needed constant reminders to return to the LORD. 3. Foreign gods and AshtorethsThese were idols and deities worshiped by surrounding nations. Ashtoreth was a Canaanite goddess associated with fertility and war, and her worship was a significant stumbling block for Israel. 4. PhilistinesA perennial enemy of Israel, the Philistines were a powerful group that often oppressed the Israelites. Deliverance from their hand was a pressing concern for Israel. 5. MizpahAlthough not mentioned directly in this verse, Mizpah is the location where Samuel gathered the Israelites for repentance and renewal, as described in the surrounding context. Teaching Points Wholehearted Return to GodTrue repentance involves a complete turning away from sin and idols. It requires a sincere commitment to God with all one's heart. Elimination of IdolsJust as Israel was called to rid themselves of foreign gods, believers today must identify and remove anything that takes precedence over God in their lives. Exclusive Service to the LORDServing God requires exclusive devotion. Believers are called to prioritize their relationship with God above all else. Promise of DeliveranceGod's deliverance is often contingent upon our obedience and faithfulness. Trusting in His promises requires action on our part. Role of Spiritual LeadersSamuel's leadership highlights the importance of godly leaders who guide and encourage others in their spiritual journey. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of 1 Samuel 7:3?
2.How does 1 Samuel 7:3 emphasize the importance of wholehearted devotion to the Lord?
3.What does "rid yourselves of the foreign gods" teach about repentance and idolatry?
4.How can we apply "direct your hearts to the LORD" in our daily lives?
5.In what ways does 1 Samuel 7:3 connect with the First Commandment?
6.How does this verse encourage us to seek God's deliverance in our struggles?
7.What does 1 Samuel 7:3 teach about repentance and returning to God?
8.How does 1 Samuel 7:3 emphasize the importance of serving God alone?
9.What historical context surrounds 1 Samuel 7:3 and its call to Israel?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 7?
11.How does Samuel’s leadership in 1 Samuel 7 compare with conflicting narratives about priestly authority in other Old Testament books?
12.Are there historical or archaeological records that confirm David's stay in Philistine territory mentioned in 1 Samuel 27?
13.What does Ebenezer mean?
14.What does "Return to God wholeheartedly" mean?What Does 1 Samuel 7:3 Mean Then Samuel said to all the house of IsraelSamuel, God’s prophet-judge, gathers the entire nation. After twenty years of Philistine oppression (1 Samuel 7:2), everyone is feeling the weight of defeat. Samuel’s address shows: • God still speaks through His chosen servant (1 Samuel 3:19–21). • His word is intended for “all the house of Israel,” not a privileged few—echoing Moses’ earlier summons to the whole assembly (Deuteronomy 5:1). • True revival begins with hearing God’s voice together (Nehemiah 8:1–3).
If you are returning to the LORD with all your heartsRepentance is not half-hearted. It involves: • Direction—“returning” means turning from sin back to God (Deuteronomy 30:2). • Devotion—“with all your hearts” demands total allegiance (Jeremiah 24:7;Joel 2:12–13). • Decision—it calls for an intentional choice, much like Joshua’s “choose this day whom you will serve” (Joshua 24:15).
Then put away the foreign gods and Ashtoreths among youIdols had crept in from surrounding cultures. Samuel names them and demands their removal: • “Foreign gods” covers every rival—Baal, household teraphim, even personal charms (Judges 10:16). • “Ashtoreths” (fertility goddesses) symbolize sensual, popular religion opposed to God’s holiness (Exodus 20:3–4). • Putting them away means literal disposal, not quiet compartmentalizing (2 Kings 23:4–5). Practical implications: – Identify anything drawing affection away from the Lord. – Remove it decisively; compromise keeps judgment lingering (1 Corinthians 10:14).
Prepare your hearts for the LORDRepentance is both outward and inward. Preparation involves: • Cleansing—setting the heart in a single direction (2 Chronicles 19:3). • Commitment—Psalm 57:7, “My heart is steadfast, O God.” • Cultivation—Hosea 10:12, “Break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the LORD.” Bullet steps: – Confess sin. – Meditate on God’s character. – Align motives with His purposes.
Serve Him onlyThe goal is exclusive worship. “You shall fear the LORD your God and serve Him” (Deuteronomy 6:13; echoed by Jesus inMatthew 4:10). Service includes: • Obedience—doing what He commands (John 14:15). • Loyalty—refusing divided allegiance (Matthew 6:24). • Worship—offering praise and sacrifice of life (Romans 12:1).
And He will deliver you from the hand of the PhilistinesGod links promise to obedience: • Deliverance is His work; obedience positions us to receive it (Psalm 34:17). • Israel’s earlier defeats (1 Samuel 4) came while clinging to idols; victory now follows repentance (1 Samuel 7:10-13). • The pattern repeats throughout Scripture—when God’s people turn back, He rescues (2 Chronicles 7:14;1 Samuel 12:10-11).
summary1 Samuel 7:3 lays out a timeless revival formula: wholehearted return, ruthless idol removal, inner heart preparation, exclusive service, and God’s ensuing deliverance. Obedience does not earn salvation, but it opens the floodgates for the Lord to act powerfully on behalf of His repentant people. (3) The strange gods.--The strange gods are in 1Samuel 7:4 described as "Baalim." This plural form of Baal refers to the numerous images of Baal which existed, as does the plural form Ashtaroth to those of the female goddess Astarte. They were both favourite Ph?nician deities, known under the familiar names of Baal, Bil, Bel, and Ashtaroth, Astarte, Istar. They represented the productive power of nature, and were generally worshipped throughout the East, usually with a wild and wanton worship. Prepare your hearts.--It was, indeed, a desperate venture seemingly, this, to which the prophet summoned unarmed and undisciplined Israel. They were then completely at the mercy of their long victorious foes, who held the chief fortified places in the country with their garrisons; and Samuel challenged Israel to bid defiance to the most cherished institutions of their oppressors, bade them, if they loved the Eternal, to turn aside from reverencing what Philistia held to be sacred and all-powerful. He knew well that what he urged upon the people would at once provoke what appeared to be a dangerous and most unequal contest. If defeated, then Israel would bring upon their devoted heads utter misery, and a ruin hitherto undreamed of even in their unhappy land. Had they courage and faith to plunge unarmed, undisciplined, into so perilous a contest? For twenty years the great patriot-statesman had laboured for this end. He had succeeded at last in opening the eyes of Israel to see the real cause of their misfortunes. He had made them as a nation hunger for the lost presence of the Eternal, who had loved them in past days with so great a love; and now, after twenty long slow years, was his work done at last? They sorrowed indeed for their national sins; but had they faith and courage, all unarmed as they were, to rise against the powerful enemies of purity and God? Verse 3. - If ye do return, etc. At length everything was ripe for a change, and the reformation wrought privately in their hearts was followed by public action. Samuel's secret addresses had no doubt been watched with anger by the Philistines, but he now ventures upon open resistance; for this public summons to Israel to put away its idols by a national act was a summons also to an uprise against foreign domination. We must suppose that the people had often assured Samuel in his wanderings of the reality of their repentance, and of their readiness to stake everything upon the issue of war. As a statesman, he now judges that the time has come, and convenes a national assembly. But everything would depend upon their earnestness. They were virtually unarmed; they would have to deal with an enemy long victorious, and who held the most important posts in their country with garrisons. Terrible suffering would follow upon defeat. Was their faith strong enough, their courage desperate enough, for so fearful a risk? Especially as Samuel is never described to us as a warrior or military hero. He could inspire no confidence as a general. He himself makes everything depend upon theft faith, and all he can promise is, "I will pray for you unto Jehovah" (ver. 5).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew Then Samuelשְׁמוּאֵ֗ל(šə·mū·’êl)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8050:Samuel -- 'name of God', a prophet of Israelsaidוַיֹּ֣אמֶר(way·yō·mer)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559:To utter, sayto allכָּל־(kāl-)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605:The whole, all, any, everythe houseבֵּ֣ית(bêṯ)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004:A houseof Israel,יִשְׂרָאֵל֮(yiś·rā·’êl)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478:Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc“Ifאִם־(’im-)Conjunction
Strong's 518:Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, notyouאַתֶּ֤ם(’at·tem)Pronoun - second person masculine plural
Strong's 859:Thou and thee, ye and youare returningשָׁבִים֙(šā·ḇîm)Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 7725:To turn back, in, to retreat, againtoאֶל־(’el-)Preposition
Strong's 413:Near, with, among, tothe LORDיְהוָ֔ה(Yah·weh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israelwith allבְּכָל־(bə·ḵāl)Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605:The whole, all, any, everyyour hearts,לְבַבְכֶ֗ם(lə·ḇaḇ·ḵem)Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 3824:Inner man, mind, will, heartthen rid yourselves ofהָסִ֜ירוּ(hā·sî·rū)Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 5493:To turn asidethe foreignהַנֵּכָ֛ר(han·nê·ḵār)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5236:That which is foreign, foreignnessgodsאֱלֹהֵ֧י(’ĕ·lō·hê)Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 430:gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlativeand Ashtorethsוְהָעַשְׁתָּר֑וֹת(wə·hā·‘aš·tā·rō·wṯ)Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 6252:A place East of the Jordanamong you,מִתּוֹכְכֶ֖ם(mit·tō·wḵ·ḵem)Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 8432:A bisection, the centreprepareוְהָכִ֨ינוּ(wə·hā·ḵî·nū)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 3559:To be erectyour heartsלְבַבְכֶ֤ם(lə·ḇaḇ·ḵem)Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 3824:Inner man, mind, will, heartforאֶל־(’el-)Preposition
Strong's 413:Near, with, among, tothe LORD,יְהוָה֙(Yah·weh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israeland serve Himוְעִבְדֻ֣הוּ(wə·‘iḇ·ḏu·hū)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5647:To work, to serve, till, enslaveonly.לְבַדּ֔וֹ(lə·ḇad·dōw)Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 905:Separation, a part of the body, branch of a, tree, bar for, carrying, chief ofAnd He will deliverוְיַצֵּ֥ל(wə·yaṣ·ṣêl)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive imperfect Jussive - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5337:To strip, plunder, deliver oneself, be delivered, snatch away, deliveryouאֶתְכֶ֖ם(’eṯ·ḵem)Direct object marker | second person masculine plural
Strong's 853:Untranslatable mark of the accusative casefrom the handמִיַּ֥ד(mî·yaḏ)Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3027:A handof the Philistines.”פְּלִשְׁתִּֽים׃(pə·liš·tîm)Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 6430:Philistines -- inhabitants of Philistia
Links 1 Samuel 7:3 NIV1 Samuel 7:3 NLT1 Samuel 7:3 ESV1 Samuel 7:3 NASB1 Samuel 7:3 KJV
1 Samuel 7:3 BibleApps.com1 Samuel 7:3 Biblia Paralela1 Samuel 7:3 Chinese Bible1 Samuel 7:3 French Bible1 Samuel 7:3 Catholic Bible
OT History: 1 Samuel 7:3 Samuel spoke to all the house (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) |
